2015.07.14:
The schedule has been updated:Q4 2015 Early Draft
Q1 2016 Public Review
Q3 2016 Proposed Final Draft
H1 2017 Final ReleaseNote that this updated is superseded by the 22 November 2016 update.

2.1 Please describe the proposed Specification:

This JSR is to develop Java EE 8, the next release of the Java Platform, Enterprise Edition.

The main focus of this release is on support for HTML5 and the emerging HTTP 2.0 standard; enhanced simplification and managed bean integration; and improved infrastructure for applications running in the cloud.

Since its inception, the Java EE Platform has been targeted at offloading the developer from common infrastructure tasks through its container-based model and abstraction of resource access. In recent releases the platform has considerably simplified the APIs for access to container services while broadening the range of the services available. In this release we aim to continue the direction of improved simplification, while extending the range of the Java EE platform to encompass emerging technologies in the web space and in cloud technology.

- Latest web standards -

Java EE 7 delivered support for HTML5 dynamic and scalable applications with the Java API for WebSocket, the JSON Processing API, and Servlet NIO. Web standards continue to evolve, and it is critical that the Java EE platform support developments in this space.

In Java EE 8 we expect to augment our support for HTML5 applications by adding support for server-sent events, standardized binding between JSON text and Java objects, and improvements to the Java API for WebSocket and the Java API for JSON Processing. We expect to add support for the emerging HTTP 2.0 standard (scheduled for submission as a Proposed Standard in 2014) to the Servlet API. We also expect to add support for action-based MVC.

- Ease of development -

We plan to enhance the managed bean model to make ease of use features that are currently available only to selected components available to all managed beans via the mechanisms provided by CDI. In particular, we plan to consider enhancements for declarative security by means of CDI interceptors and for notifications for timed events by means of the CDI event and observer mechanism.

- Infrastructure for cloud support -

We expect to augment the infrastructure added in Java EE 7 for cloud support. Areas that we plan to consider include more flexible support for configuration, including support for configuration of multiple tenants; simplified and improved security configuration; and REST-based APIs for monitoring and management.

- Alignment with Java SE 8 -

Java EE 8 will build on Java SE 8. We will encourage component JSRs to review and improve their APIs with the Java SE 8 language changes in mind, so that developers will be able to take advantage of new features such as repeating annotations, lambda expressions, the Date/Time API, type annotations, Completable Futures, etc.

- Preliminary contents -

We expect that the following new JSRs will be candidates for inclusion in the Java EE 8 Platform:

The new component JSRs that we plan to propose for inclusion add significant capabilities to the platform: JCache enables scaling of applications by standardizing a powerful caching layer accessible from all containers; the API for JSON Binding builds on the API for JSON Processing to provide for mapping between JSON text and Java objects; the Model View Controller JSR provides for action-based MVC, to complement the component-based approach of JSF.

Several of the technologies already included in the Java EE platform are expected to be updated for the Java EE 8 release, including all or some of the following:

This JSR will also update the Java Enterprise Edition Web Profile to version 8. In addition to incorporating the latest versions of the technologies currently in the Web Profile, we expect to consider adding new required technologies to the Web Profile, such as the new API for JSON Binding.

- Pruning -

In accordance with the pruning process defined by the Java EE 6 specification, we will consider designating the following as Proposed Optional in this release: the EJB 2.x client view APIs (EJBObject, EJBHome, EJBLocalObject, EJBLocalHome) and support for CORBA IIOP interoperability.

2.3 The Executive Committees would like to ensure JSR submitters think about how their proposed technology relates to all of the Java platform editions. Please provide details here for which platform editions are being targeted by this JSR, and how this JSR has considered the relationship with the other platform editions.

This JSR updates the Java EE Platform and the Java EE Web Profile.

2.4 What need of the Java community will be addressed by the proposed specification?

See 2.1 above.

2.5 Why isn't this need met by existing specifications?

See 2.1 above.

2.6 Please give a short description of the underlying technology or technologies:

2.7 Is there a proposed package name for the API Specification? (i.e., javapi.something, org.something, etc.)

The Java EE platform itself does not require a package name. All of its requirements are reflected in the packages of its constituent Java APIs.

2.8 Does the proposed specification have any dependencies on specific operating systems, CPUs, or I/O devices that you know of?

No.

2.9 Are there any security issues that cannot be addressed by the current security model?

Java EE 8 addresses mechanisms and policies required for secure usage of its constituent component models and access APIs. These mechanisms must be compatible with the security facilities of Java SE 8. Java EE 8 may define additional Service Provider Interfaces, including those that allow security technology vendors to integrate with Java EE application servers.

2.10 Are there any internationalization or localization issues?

Java EE uses the I18N support in Java SE and defined in constituent technologies.

2.11 Are there any existing specifications that might be rendered obsolete, deprecated, or in need of revision as a result of this work?

Other than the Java EE specification itself, the Java EE Web Profile specification, and the new versions of their constituent components, Java EE 8 should not require other existing specifications to be revised.

2.12 Please describe the anticipated schedule for the development of this
specification.

- What is the location of your publicly-accessible Issue list? In order to enable EC members to judge whether Issues have been adequately addressed, the list must make a clear distinction between Issues that are still open, Issues that have been deferred, and those that are closed, and must indicate the reason for any change of state.

- Which specific areas of feedback should interested community members (such as the Adopt-a-JSR program) provide to improve the JSR (please also post this to your Community tab)?

The formation of Adopt-a-JSR groups to provide technical feedback for Java EE 8 is encouraged and supported.

2.15 Please describe how the RI and TCK will de delivered, i.e. as part of a profile or platform edition, or stand-alone, or both. Include version information for the profile or platform in your answer.

The RI and TCK for Java EE 8 and the Java EE 8 Web Profile will be delivered in the same way they were delivered for Java EE 7.

2.16 Please state the rationale if previous versions are available stand-alone and you are now proposing in 2.13 to only deliver RI and TCK as part of a profile or platform edition (See sections 1.1.5 and 1.1.6 of the JCP 2 document).

N/A

2.17 Please provide a description of the business terms for the Specification, RI and TCK that will apply when this JSR is final.

As required by the Java Specification Participation Agreement (JSPA), the TCK will be licensed at no charge without support to qualified not-for-profit. The Compatibility Testing Scholarship Program will verify such qualification. Support may also be provided at no charge with approval of the scholarship board. For more information, please refer to:
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/index-137188.html

2.18 Please describe the communications channel you have established for the public to observe Expert Group deliberations, provide feedback, and view archives of all Expert Group communications.

The Expert Group will conduct business on a publicly readable alias. The public will have an alias on which to provide feedback and discuss issues related to the JSR. There will also be a publicly accessible JIRA and document archive. (See also 2.19 and 2.20 below.)

2.19 What is the URL of the Issue Tracker that the public can read, and how does the public log issues in the Issue Tracker?